How to get a visa for France in Congo (DRC)?

The citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Congo wishing to travel to France must apply for a Schengen visa by following a procedure that varies depending on their place of residence and the duration of the intended trip.
The most common Schengen visa is the short-stay visa (also called type C). It allows its holder to enter and travel freely for less than 90 days within a 6-month period in the Schengen area, of which France is a part.
We won’t hide the fact that the steps to obtain such a visa require organization and time. Follow our guide to make your visa application for France in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Where should I submit my France visa application in the DRC?

Visa applications submitted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are processed based on your place of residence and the type of visa you are applying for.

• For a long-stay visa (type D) and for a visa to the French overseas departments (DROM) or the overseas territories (CTOM): at the Embassy of France in Kinshasa
• For a short-stay visa (type C) and an airport transit visa VTA (type A): at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Kinshasa via the European Visa Center (CEV) in Kinshasa
• For a short-stay visa (type C) for residents of the Grand-Katanga: at the Belgian Consulate General in Lubumbashi (which reopened in January 2020) via the European Visa Center (CEV) in Lubumbashi
• For a short-stay visa (type C) for residents of the Kivu provinces: at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Kigali, Rwanda via VFS Global

What is the procedure for submitting a France visa application in the DRC?

For a long-stay France visa and/or for a visa to the DROM and/or CTOM

1. You must log into France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr), the official site for France visas, to create your personal account
2. You fill out an online visa application form for France. You must print it, date it, and sign it. You will attach this form to the application file you will submit during your appointment with the consular services of the French Embassy in Kinshasa
3. You review the list of required documents and supporting documents to include in your application file
4. You will be redirected to make an appointment online with the consular services of the French Embassy. You can also make an appointment by phone at +243 815 559 956
5. You must print the appointment confirmation letter which you will present on the scheduled interview day. During the appointment, you will submit your complete visa application file and your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) will be collected.

For a short-stay France visa or for an airport transit visa

Your France visa application will be processed by the consular authorities of the Belgian Embassy in Kinshasa, but you must submit your file at the European Visa Center (replacing the Schengen House in Kinshasa).
The procedure to follow is as follows:

1. You must log into the CEV (European Visa Center) website (cev-kin.eu/fr) to create your personal account
2. You fill out an online visa application form via the Visa On Web website (visaonweb.diplomatie.be/). Once completed, you print it, date it, and sign it.
   Note: you must select “Kinshasa” or “Lubumbashi” depending on the city where you are submitting your visa application
3. You make an appointment online with the center where you will submit your visa application. A confirmation email will be sent to you, which you must present on the day of your appointment to access the visa center
4. You review all the documents and supporting materials (originals and copies) to include in your file when you submit it. The CEV website lists them by travel purpose and in the order they should be presented

For a short-stay France visa for residents of Grand-Katanga

Your France visa application will be processed by the Belgian Consulate General in Lubumbashi via the European Visa Center (CEV) in Lubumbashi.
The procedure to follow is the same as mentioned above. Just make sure to select "Lubumbashi" as the submission center.

For a short-stay France visa for residents of the Kivu provinces

Your France visa application will be processed by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Kigali, Rwanda. But you must submit your visa application at the VFS Application Center (VAC), a service provider responsible for collecting the files, located in Kigali. The procedure to follow is as follows:

1. Log into the VFS Global website (vfsglobal.com/belgium/Rwanda/French/index.html) to create your personal account.
2. Fill out your visa application form online via the Visa On Web website, to which you will be redirected. You must print it, date it, and sign it, then attach it to your application file
3. Review the required documents and supporting materials (both originals and copies) to attach to your application. They are detailed on the site based on each travel purpose
4. Once you have completed the form and gathered your documents, make an appointment online on the VFS website to go in person to the visa center. A confirmation email will be sent to you, and you must present it on the scheduled day to access the center.
   Note: It is possible to submit your visa application without an appointment by going to the center from Monday to Friday, but only between 8 am and 11 am.

What are the timelines for making my application and obtaining a visa for France?

Allow time for compiling your application (some supporting documents may take longer to gather, such as the invitation letter, if required), making an appointment, and the planned date of your arrival in France.
Try to avoid applying during peak times (summer, end-of-year holidays, and school vacations).
For long-stay visa applications, allow a processing time of 30 days from the submission of your application until the planned departure date.
For short-stay visa applications, submit your file at least 15 days before your planned departure.
Be aware that processing times can range from 1 to 2 months if the file requires detailed review or if additional documents are needed.

What happens during the visa appointment?

During this appointment with the visa service, you will present yourself in person with the following documents:

• the confirmation letter of your appointment, printed from your online request
• your passport
• the visa application form, completed online and printed, dated, and signed by you
• the file containing all the required documents arranged in the order of the document list
• a file containing photocopies of the documents required in the first file
• the payment methods for the visa fees

An agent will verify that your file is complete, collect your biometric data, direct you to the counter to pay the fees related to your visa application, and provide you with a receipt containing a personal reference number. You must keep it to collect your passport when notified.
Your complete file is then transferred to the decision-making authorities.
You can track the progress of your application by logging into your France-Visas, CEV, or VFS account.
To find out if your visa application is accepted, you need to wait for a notification via email, SMS, or electronic mail in your personal space.
You can collect your passport on the day and time specified in the notification.

What is the fee for a French visa application?

The visa application fees are collected by the French authorities and are non-refundable, even in the case of a visa refusal.
The fees are set in euros but are collected in US dollars (at the French Embassy in Kinshasa) and in Rwandan francs (VFS Application Center in Kigali). They are collected in euros by the CEV.

• The fees for a Long Stay French visa are as follows:
  99 €
  50 €: reduced rate for students whose file has been reviewed by a Center for Studies in France.
   
• The fees for a Short Stay visa and an Airport Transit visa (VTA) are as follows:
  Adult: 80 €
  Child from 12 to 18 years: 80 €
  Child from 6 to less than 12 years: 40 €
  Child under 6 years: free
  Spouse of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free
   
• For a Short Stay visa for Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, La Réunion, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy:
  Adult: 60 €
  Child from 12 to 18 years: 60 €
  Child from 6 to less than 12 years: 35 €
  Child under 6 years: free
  Spouse of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free
   
• For a Short Stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Mayotte, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands: 9 €
  Spouse of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free

Am I required to take travel insurance to come to France?

Yes. According to the Schengen Visa Code, visa applicants from the Congo (DRC) must attach a travel insurance certificate to their visa application. Without this certificate, your France visa application will be rejected. This travel insurance must cover you in case of accidents, health issues, medical emergencies, and repatriation. The travel health insurance must provide a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

Why choose AXA Schengen travel insurance?

It is the solution that meets all your needs. It is approved by all consulates and embassies of Schengen member countries, including France. It meets the various required criteria, and you can obtain it with just a few clicks. It is an affordable visa travel insurance, with the first Low Cost plan starting at 22€ per week of stay. It covers medical expenses up to 30,000 €, repatriation, and 24/7 assistance. Simply attach the certificate to your visa application file for France from the Congo (DRC).

For more information

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Frequently Asked Questions about the France Visa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Where should I submit my France visa application in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

For a long-stay France visa - you must submit it to the French Embassy in Kinshasa.
For a short-stay France visa (type C) or an airport transit visa (type A) - it depends on your place of residence in the Congo (DRC).

Does my France visa allow me to visit other European countries?

A short-stay Schengen visa allows its holder to travel freely within other Schengen states for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, as long as the visa validity is respected.

Can I be exempted from the collection of biometric data when applying for a France visa?

Children under 12 years old or visa applicants who have already obtained a visa with the (VIS) mention in the last 59 months are exempt from biometric data collection. Any other France visa applicant must appear in person at the visa center to have this data collected.